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Outgoing SEED board member honored at meeting

Outgoing SEED (Sweetwater Enterprise for Economic Development) board member and chairman Kyle Lawrence was honored for his eight years of service during their board meeting on Monday morning, September 12.A plaque of appreciation was presented to Lawrence by fellow board member Arthur Maberry. Lawrence remarked that he was proud to serve on such a rewarding committee and also praised the SEED staff. While on the board, Lawrence also shared that one of their best accomplishments was hiring Executive Director Ken Becker, who has continually worked to promote the community.Speaking on behalf of the board, Maberry said that it was a pleasure to serve with Lawrence and appreciated his commitment to the board as well as their business ventures throughout Nolan County.Other action items presented at the meeting were the budget amendments for the 2012-2013 fiscal year, which were approved. They included the updated agreements with various companies, the membership fee to AWEA (American Wind Energy Association), the climate-controlled storage unit for the trade show booth and other documents located off-site, the 3.3% cost of living raise for SEED staff (pending approval from the city commission), and maintenance for the Sweetwater Business Park. Also approved were the minutes of the August 2012 regular meeting, the payment of accounts payable, and the July 2012 financial statements. In the review of the statements, Becker pointed out that county unemployment numbers fell to 6.2%; the sales tax numbers--while down from last year's incredible boost--are still higher than the 2010 numbers. In addition, a one year extension to the Executive Director's contract was approved.In his monthly update, Becker gave a status report on one of SEED's projects regarding Cape and Son. Contract negotiations continue, and a timeline was presented on construction and operations dates, as well as what the company will potentially be hauling.Furthermore, the 50th anniversary meeting of the PBPA (Permian Basin Petroleum Association) will take place in October, with SEED staff attending and participating at the event to bring exposure to the community. Other projects were briefly discussed, including status updates on the Golden Chick construction, Love's Truck Stop and Mercer Oil Field Company.